Four days until we begin our wonderful adventure to Kenya. It is hard to believe that after months of preparation and praying that it is time to go. The excitement that I have felt through out the preparation has now been met with the feeling of nervousness. After praying about our trip some more I came across a verse from Proverbs that helped ease that feeling. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse reminds me that I need to put all my faith in him and that he will keep us all safe throughout our journey.

Even though these feelings have arisen, my excitement for going has not diminished. This week I had the opportunity to work on the music for VBS! Music is my passion and being able to bring my love of music to the children in Africa brings me great joy. Putting together the CD’s makes me excited to meet the children and experience all of the amazing things that I pray they show me.

Tomorrow (Sunday, June 1st) we are going to be commissioned during the service. Having such an amazing church supporting and praying for us is such an uplifting thing! I ask that you please continue praying for our travels, the relationships that we build, and Africa as a whole. I also ask that you continue to pray that God uses us to spread his love wherever we go.

As we leave on Thursday we invite you to come pray with us before we leave! We are meeting at the church at 12:00 to pack the car and plan to leave by 12:30. If you cannot make it please just continue praying! Mark 16:15 says, “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”” We cannot wait to start spreading the word and sharing God’s love.
-Shannon W.

Packing Party

Each trip brings with it a packing party.  Tonight was the night.  We gathered together and sorted, repackaged supplies, packed bins, weighed the bins, and made prayer books with messages and pictures from church members.
Prioritizing what makes it into the bins is tough with so many needs among the children and our hosts.  We will take with us VBS craft supplies, a bag for each child with a few school supplies and a wooden cross necklace, linens, toothbrushes, children's clothing, and more.

So exciting that we made 30 prayer books, packed 12 bins, and made one big step forward in our preparations.  Kathy leaves for Kenya this Friday with a group of students and fellow professor from JMU.  Travelling mercies on Kathy!
Please pray for the safe transportation of these bins of supplies for their intended uses at Tumaini and Huruma children's homes.  Just over 2 weeks and we'll be on our way!

Summer 2014....here we go again.

Meadow's Presbyterian Church is sending a group of seven on a return trip to Kenya from June 5th through June 21st, 2014.  Our friends at Eastminster Presbyterian travelled to Tumaini and Huruma Children's Homes last summer.  We excitedly anticipate our return trip and continuing partner ministry.  Team members include Julie, Kathy, Shannon, Kaki, Cynthia, Wendell, and Kris.  We ask each of you to join us on this journey as we work to His Glory in a distant place. Please pray God's Holy Spirit goes before us and meets us there. 


Greetings from the Meadows Church family

Our hope and intent is to minister to the 200 children who live in these two children's homes, to worship with the Riamukurwe Parish church family, and renew friendships with the parish elders and staff in these two homes.  May God be glorified.

Two big events have supported this mission trip.  First, we held a benefit concert featuring SGG and Essence of Praise on February 22nd.  Second, on March 29th we held a African-style dinner with speakers, Stephanie Black (missionary and recent seminary professor in Nairobi) and Ebralie Mwizerwa (from The Outreach Foundation).  Both events were informative, inspirational, and celebratory.

The donation of supplies and money allows us to provide school supplies, flip-flops, running shoes, recreation parachutes, volleyballs and nets, and bible school activity supplies.  Each child will receive a cross on a necklace (hand-crafted by our own Hal) and a bible (250 bibles were purchased, supplemented with a grant through the American Bible Society).   We will carry gifts to thank our generous hosts.  Men will receive work gloves and a cross; while the women will receive a prayer shawl (knit by our Meadows women) and a cross.

Our plans for this mission trip began last summer and momentum continues to build as our departure comes soon.  We would appreciate your prayers during this intense period of preparation. We will do our best to keep you informed during these weeks up until we leave and then through our travels.  The team will be blessed to share what Jesus teaches us along the way.  Stay tuned!